About our mental health tests

MHA Screening is a collection of free, confidential, and scientifically validated mental health screening tools. The resources on this page help explain how each screening tool (test) was developed, which populations it has been validated for, and under which conditions it may be reproduced (if any).

Information about specific tests

Click on the name of a test to learn more, or simply scroll down the page.

• • Addiction Test
  • ADHD Test
  • Anxiety Test
  • Bipolar Test
  • Depression Test
  • Postpartum Depression Test (New and Expecting Parents)
  • Eating Disorder Test
  • Parent Test: Your Child’s Mental Health
  • Psychosis Test
  • PTSD Test
  • Youth Mental Health Test
  • *Surveys

  For information about mental health testing in general:

  About mental health tests

  1. What mental illness do I have?
  2. Take a Mental Health Test
  3. About our mental health tests
  4. How can online mental health testing help me?
  5. What do my mental health test results mean?
  6. I just took a mental health test. What next?

  Addiction Test: CAGE-AID

  The Addiction Test is for people who are concerned about their use of alcohol or drugs. The questions focus on lifetime alcohol and drug use.

  The CAGE questionnaire was published in 1974. It was developed to identify addiction to alcohol. CAGE is an acronym for the symptoms targeted by this screening tool: Cutting down; Annoyance by criticism; Guilty feeling; Eye-openers.

  The CAGE-AID is a version of the CAGE adapted to apply to drugs other than alcohol. AID stands for “Adapted to include drugs.” The CAGE-AID was published in 1995. It has been validated for both adults and youth between the ages of 12 and 18.

  In addition to the 4 CAGE-AID questions, we also ask about which substance(s) or behavior(s) the person is concerned about. This helps with the specificity of our research. It also reflects a growing interest in behavioral addictions.

  References

  • Original source for CAGE-AID: Brown & Rounds. (1995). Conjoint screening questionnaires for alcohol and other drug abuse: criterion validity in a primary care practice. Wisconsin Medical Journal 94(3), pp. 135-140. Retrieved from https://europepmc.org/article/med/7778330
  • Original CAGE Questionnaire: Mayfield et al. (1974). The CAGE questionnaire: validation of a new alcoholism screening instrument. American Journal of Psychiatry 131(10), pp. 1121-3. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/4416585/
  • Couwenbergh et al. (2009). Screening for substance abuse among adolescents validity of the CAGE-AID in youth mental health care. Substance use & misuse 44(6), 823-834.
    http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10826080802484264#.VlM6ZnarTct

  ADHD Test: Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) v1.1

  For people of all ages who have trouble focusing, remembering things, completing tasks, and/or sitting still.

  The ASRS v1.1 was published in 2005 and has been widely used ever since. It has been validated for adults as well as adolescents ages 13 and up.

  We use v1.1, rather than the newer DSM-5 version, because v1.1 has been evaluated more rigorously for reliability and validity, especially with adolescent populations.

  Scoring

  In addition to the overall score, there are also two subscales: one for inattention, and another for hyperactivity/impulsivity. The highest possible score on each of these subscales is 9. The subscales are for your information only—they do not indicate a diagnosis of ADHD inattentive type, hyperactive/impulsive type, or combined type.

  References

  • Original source: Kessler, R. C. et al. (2005). The World Health Organization Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS): a short screening scale for use in the general population. Psychological medicine, 35(2), 245–256. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0033291704002892
  • Adler, L. A., & Newcorn, J. H. (2011). Administering and evaluating the results of the adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) in adolescents. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 72(6), e20. https://doi.org/10.4088/JCP.10081tx2c
  • Adler, L.A. et al. (2012). Preliminary Examination of the Reliability and Concurrent Validity of the Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Self-Report Scale v1.1 Symptom Checklist to Rate Symptoms of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Adolescents. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology 22(3), pp. 238-244. http://doi.org/10.1089/cap.2011.0062
  • Green, J.G., et al. (2019). Evidence for the reliability and preliminary validity of the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale v1.1 (ASRS v1.1) Screener in an adolescent community sample. Int J Methods Psychiatr Res. 28(1), p. 1751. https://doi.org/10.1002/mpr.1751

  Anxiety Test: Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7)

  For people experiencing extreme worry or fear that affects their ability to function day-to-day. The Anxiety Test is also available in Spanish.

  The GAD-7 is part of the Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders Patient Health Questionnaire (PRIME-MD-PHQ). The PHQ, including the GAD-7, was developed by Drs. Robert L. Spitzer, Janet B.W. Williams, Kurt Kroenke, and colleagues. For research information, contact Dr. Spitzer at [email protected]. PRIME-MD® is a trademark of Pfizer Inc. Copyright© 1999 Pfizer Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduced with permission.

  All PHQ screeners and translations are downloadable from Pfizer’s website. No permission is required to reproduce, translate, display, or distribute them [source].

  References

  • Original source: Spitzer, Kroenke, Williams, et al. (2006). A brief measure for assessing generalized anxiety disorder: the GAD-7. Archives of Internal Medicine 166(10), pp. 1092-1097. Retrieved from
    http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=410326
  • Kroenke, Spitzer, Williams, et al. (2007). Anxiety disorders in primary care: prevalence, impairment, comorbidity, and detection. Annals of Internal Medicine 146(5), pp. 317-25. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17339617/
  • Löwe et al. (2008). Validation and standardization of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Screener (GAD-7) in the general population. Medical Care 46(3), pp. 266-274. Retrieved from http://journals.lww.com/lww-medicalcare/Abstract/2008/03000/Validation_and_Standardization_of_the_Generalized.6.aspx
  • Ruiz et al. (2011). Validity of the GAD-7 scale as an outcome measure of disability in patients with generalized anxiety disorders in primary care. Journal of Affective Disorders 128(3), pp. 277-286. Retrieved from
    http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016503271000491X
    

  Bipolar Test: Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ)

  This instrument was developed by a committee composed of the following individuals:

  • Chairman, Robert M.A. Hirschfeld, MD – University of Texas Medical Branch
  • Joseph R. Calabrese, MD – Case Western Reserve School of Medicine
  • Laurie Flynn – National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
  • Paul E. Keck, Jr., MD – University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
  • Lydia Lewis – National Depressive and Manic-Depressive Association
  • Robert M. Post, MD – National Institute of Mental Health
  • Gary S. Sachs, MD – Harvard University School of Medicine
  • Robert L. Spitzer, MD – Columbia University
  • Janet Williams, DSW – Columbia University
  • John M. Zajecka, MD – Rush Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center.

  The MDQ is widely available on the web and is included in the papers cited below. Use requires the permission of the author, who can be contacted at e-mail: [email protected] [source].

  References

  • Original source: Hirschfeld, et al. (2000) Development and Validation of a Screening Instrument for Bipolar Spectrum Disorder: The Mood Disorder Questionnaire. American Journal of Psychiatry 157(11), pp. 1873-1875. Retrieved from
    http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/doi/abs/10.1176/appi.ajp.157.11.1873
  • Hirschfeld et al. (2014). Validity of the mood disorder questionnaire: a general population study. American Journal of Psychiatry 2003 160(1), 178-180
    http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.ajp.160.1.178

  Depression Test: Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9)

  For people experiencing overwhelming sadness or despair, low energy, or negative self-image. The Depression Test is also available in Spanish.

  The PHQ-9 is part of the Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders Patient Health Questionnaire (PRIME-MD-PHQ). The PHQ, including the PHQ-9, was developed by Drs. Robert L. Spitzer, Janet B.W. Williams, Kurt Kroenke, and colleagues. For research information, contact Dr. Spitzer at [email protected]. PRIME-MD® is a trademark of Pfizer Inc. Copyright© 1999 Pfizer Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduced with permission.

  All PHQ screeners and translations are downloadable from Pfizer’s website. No permission is required to reproduce, translate, display, or distribute them [source].

  References

  • Original source: Kroenke, Spitzer, & Williams. (2001). The PHQ‐9. Journal of General Internal Medicine 16(9), 606-613. Retrieved from
    http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1046/j.1525-1497.2001.016009606.x/pdf
  • Martin et al. (2006). Validity of the brief patient health questionnaire mood scale (PHQ-9) in the general population. General Hospital Psychiatry 28(1), 71-77. Retrieved from
    http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0163834305001179
  • Arroll et al. (2010). Validation of PHQ-2 and PHQ-9 to screen for major depression in the primary care population. The Annals of Family Medicine 8(4), 348-353. Retrieved from
    http://www.annfammed.org/content/8/4/348.short

  Postpartum Depression Test (New and Expecting Parents): Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale

  For new & expecting parents who began feeling overwhelming sadness during pregnancy or after their child’s birth.

  Users may reproduce this scale without further permission providing they respect the copyright (which remains with the British Journal of Psychiatry), quote the names of the authors and include the title and the source of the paper in all reproduced copies.

  • Original Source: Cox, J.L., Holden, J.M., and Sagovsky, R. 1987. Detection of postnatal depression: Development of the 10-item Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. British Journal of Psychiatry 150:782-786.
  • K. L. Wisner, B. L. Parry, C. M. Piontek, Postpartum Depression N Engl J Med vol. 347, No 3, July 18, 2002, 194-199

  Eating Disorder Test: Stanford-Washington University Eating Disorder Screen (SWED)

  To explore unhealthy relationships with food that impact your physical health and overall well-being. The Eating Disorder Test is coded and scored based on the current diagnostic criteria of various eating disorders outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5).

  To learn more about the various criteria for different eating disorders, visit Information by Eating Disorder from our partner the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA).

  • Original source: Graham, A.K., Trockel, M., Weisman, H, Fitzsimmons-Craft, E.E., Balantekin, K.N., Wilfley, D.E., & Taylor, C.B. (2019). A screening tool for detecting eating disorder risk and diagnostic symptoms among college-age women. Journal of American College Health 67(4), pp. 357-366. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6320726/

  Parent Test: Your Child’s Mental Health: Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC-17)

  For parents who are worried that their child’s emotions, attention, or behaviors might be a mental health concern. (For youth who are concerned about their own mental health, the Youth Mental Health Test is also available.)

  This version of the Pediatric Symptom Checklist was published in 1999 and has been widely used and studied since then.

  Interpreting scores

  In addition to the Total Score, 3 subscores are calculated using specific questions from the test. It’s possible to score high on one or more subscores while also having a low total score.

  • Total Score:
    Children/teens with scores of 30 or higher usually have significant difficulties in overall psychosocial functioning.
  • Anxiety/Depression Subscore:
    Children/teens with scores of 5 or higher on this subscale usually have significant difficulty with anxiety and/or depression.
  • Attention Problem Subscore:
    Children/teens with scores of 7 or higher on this subscale usually have significant difficulty with attention.
  • Conduct Problem Subscore:
    Children/teens with scores of 7 or higher on this subscale usually have significant difficulty with conduct.

  References

  • Original source: Gardner, Murphy, Childs, et al. (1999). The PSC-17: a brief pediatric symptom checklist with psychosocial problem subscales. A report from PROS and ASPN. Ambulatory Child Health 5 ( 3 ), pp. 225–236.
  • For more information, visit the Pediatric Symptom Checklist page at Massachusetts General Hospital Psychiatry: https://www.massgeneral.org/psychiatry/treatments-and-services/pediatric-symptom-checklist

  Psychosis Test: Prodromal Questionnaire—Brief Version (PQ-B)

  For people who feel like their brain is playing tricks on them (seeing, hearing or believing things that don’t seem real or quite right).

  • Original source: Loewy, R. L., Pearson, R., Vinogradov, S., Bearden, C. E., & Cannon, T. D. (2011). Psychosis risk screening with the Prodromal Questionnaire—brief version (PQ-B). Schizophrenia Research 129(1), 42-46.
    http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0920996411001770

  PTSD Test: Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5 (PC-PTSD-5)

  For people experiencing ongoing distress after a traumatic life event.

  • Original Source: Prins, A., Bovin, M. J., Kimerling, R., Kaloupek, D. G, Marx, B. P., Pless Kaiser, A., & Schnurr, P. P. (2015). Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5 (PC-PTSD-5). [Measurement instrument].
  • Bovin, M. J., Kimerling, R., Weathers, F. W., Prins, A., Marx, B. P., Post, E. P., & Schnurr, P. P. (2021). Diagnostic accuracy and acceptability of the Primary Care Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Screen for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fifth Edition) among US Veterans (PDF). JAMA Network Open, 4(2). Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.36733
  • Prins, A., Bovin, M. J., Smolenski, D. J., Mark, B. P., Kimerling, R., Jenkins-Guarnieri, M. A., Kaloupek, D. G., Schnurr, P. P., Pless Kaiser, A., Leyva, Y. E., & Tiet, Q. Q. (2016). The Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5 (PC-PTSD-5): Development and evaluation within a Veteran primary care sample. (PDF) Journal of General Internal Medicine 31, pp. 1206-1211. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-016-3703-5

  Youth Mental Health Test: Pediatric Symptom Checklist – Youth Self-Report (PSC-Y)

  For young people (age 11-17) who are concerned that their emotions, attention, or behaviors might be signs of a problem. (For parents who are concerned about their child’s mental health, the Parent Test is also available.)

  The Pediatric Symptom Checklist was published in 1988 and has been widely used and studied since then.

  Interpreting scores

  In addition to the Total Score, 3 subscores are calculated using specific questions from the test. It’s possible to score high on one or more subscores while also having a low total score.

  • Total Score:
    Children/teens with scores of 30 or higher usually have significant difficulties in overall psychosocial functioning.
  • Anxiety/Depression Subscore:
    Children/teens with scores of 5 or higher on this subscale usually have significant difficulty with anxiety and/or depression.
  • Attention Problem Subscore:
    Children/teens with scores of 7 or higher on this subscale usually have significant difficulty with attention.
  • Conduct Problem Subscore:
    Children/teens with scores of 7 or higher on this subscale usually have significant difficulty with conduct.

  References

  • Original source: Jellinek, Murphy, et al. (1988). Pediatric Symptom Checklist: Screening school-age children for psychosocial dysfunction. The Journal of Pediatrics, 112(2), pp. 201-209. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-3476(88)80056-8
  • For more information, visit the Pediatric Symptom Checklist page at Massachusetts General Hospital Psychiatry: https://www.massgeneral.org/psychiatry/treatments-and-services/pediatric-symptom-checklist

  Surveys

  In addition to mental health screening tools, we also conduct surveys related to mental health. These surveys help us develop better mental health supports for people like you!

  Anything with “Survey” in the title is not a clinically validated mental health screening tool. Responses to surveys are subject to the same Terms of Use and Privacy Policy as our mental health tests.

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